Delta Utilities seeks new gas franchise; council told vote will come in two weeks

Representatives of Delta Utilities briefed the Shreveport City Council on a proposed franchise agreement that would replace a franchise acquired from CenterPoint Energy and allow Delta to construct, operate and maintain natural-gas distribution facilities in city rights-of-way.

Sam Walters, Delta’s director of program management and construction, said the proposed agreement largely mirrors the prior franchise and — if ratified by the council — would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. “The payment, 4½ percent of gross receipts of gas sales stays the same as the previous franchise agreement,” Walters said. He noted restoration obligations after excavations and that Delta would provide records and permitting notifications to the city.

Walters said the franchise currently in place expires Dec. 31 and the company is available to meet with council members prior to a scheduled vote. “This is up for, we vote on this in two weeks,” he said when asked about timing.

Council members asked procedural questions and were offered the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Delta staff. Michael Jackson, identified from Delta as a vice president, was introduced in the chamber later in the meeting. City staff said the franchise will be introduced and considered at a future council meeting; no formal action was taken at Tuesday’s session.

Separately, the council briefly discussed a long‑standing telecommunications “dark fiber” franchise (for Hunt Telecommunications) that city staff described as the standard telecommunications franchise used by the city; city attorney’s office staff explained “dark fiber” is fiber optic cable that can be licensed to clients once installed in the right of way.

No ordinance was adopted on either franchise at the meeting; both were presented as introductions with votes and additional review to follow.